Archive for June, 2008
Hoping to alleviate last years disappointment with the 08 version, EA’s NASCAR 09 offers a lot of promise. The 09 version is definitely an upgrade from the 08 version and is well packaged. In this format of the game, the focus is mainly on you-the gamer.
Everything you do, right from typing in your desired name and other trivial details to create your in-game persona, influences your ‘Rep’. Rep being the currency which helps you climb up the success ladder in career mode.
The game like its predecessors has loads of modes ands features. At times, navigating through these never-seeming-to-end interfaces and menus becomes quite cumbersome. But the tutorial by Jeff Gordon helps new players ease into the game. Not to forget, there is special attention given to your choice of wheels. Players can customize their vehicles with paint jobs and logos etc. Once done, you are ready to zoom off into career mode.
As an attempt to keep the gamers hooked, unlike the career mode in last years version where all there was were silly mini-game challenges; this version of NASCAR charms you in with racing contracts and signing sponsors. How is that for interactive! Here again your Rep matters.Hence, the faster you race, the faster you climb the success ladder. The career mode offers you three options – Sprint, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck. Also available are Driver challenges to help you gain better control and to also push up your rep.
This game will cost you $59.99 on Amazon.com. Overall, the game has solid features, some solid racing and good solid graphics. A true blue solid choice for racing car aficionados.
June 21st, 2008
While Po the Panda might feel that the game Kung Fu Panda developed by Luxoflux Corp. is “totally awesome”, reality begs to differ. Published by Activision, the game with its fantasy violence and mild language has been rated by the ESRB as being suitable for everyone over the age of ten years.
As it is the movie Kung Fu Panda that has been translated into a game here, the challenges for the team at Luxoflux to keep up with the release date of the film must have been enormous. However they do manage to deliver a good if not a great product. The game’s graphics are crystal clear and sharp, the production values are high and there is even a certain amount of depth in the action of the game.
Kung Fu Panda follows the beaten-to-death story of a young character with big dreams and the odds against him. So there you have Po the Panda hurtling across thirteen brief stages in a brave attempt to rescue the world from the evil Tai Lung and become the great Dragon Warrior. Po makes use of his natural endowments, mainly his balloon sized belly to perform some impressive stunts like pounding with his belly, rolling around like a beach ball and bouncing off his enemies.
To upgrade these moves, gamers can spend coins and can even assume control of other characters for brief periods of time. The biggest set-back to this game is its duration. Paying $49.99 for a game that lasts for only three to four hours but costs about five times more than watching its movie counterpart does not seem such a great option.
June 13th, 2008
Grid is available for the PS3 from Codemasters at a price of $59.99. It is in one sense a continuation of the Race Driver series from Codemasters. With emphasis on racing and traveling the world as a perk this is a game that is not to be missed by car racing junkies.
There are many racing disciplines and international venues for this game. As you don the shoes of an ace racing driver in career mode, you also freelance as a driver, get to negotiate contracts and create your own team.
The 12 player online mode is a highlight of this game. The weather is non adjustable and there is no split screen multiplayer, but the freshness of this game hands it a thumbs up from most racing genre enthusiasts. With racing split across Japan, the US and Europe, you get to race in different cars in every location.
In Grid World mode, you try to earn money to buy new vehicles. I would describe Grid as similar to arcade games rather than sims. With good controls you get to enjoy the edge of the seat maneouvers. The racing disciplines include standard GT, demolition derby and winding Japanese circuits.
The visuals in Grid are impressive and the pace is frantic. The only issue is the audio which could be better. This is one racing game that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended.
June 6th, 2008